Goodyear Wolverhampton closure: Almost half of staff have now left

The iconic Bushbury Lane site is due to shut its gate for the final time on December 31 with the loss of 330 jobs.

Redundancies are being phased throughout this year with bosses confirming 135 workers are no longer with Goodyear.

But the company states the vast majority of them have already found another job.

A spokesman for the tyre firm, said: "At the end of June 2016, 135 employees had been made redundant. Of these, 125 have already gained alternative local employment.

"Many new jobs were found at our recruitment fairs, held in November and June, where more than 250 vacancies were advertised. We are pleased that such a high number of our affected Associates are continuing their careers.

"The plant closure date of 31st December 2016 remains unchanged.

"We fully understand the impact of this decision on our affected Associates and we thank them for their continued professionalism during this difficult time."

Between 70 and 100 former Goodyear staff have been given new jobs by logistics company Wincanton.

The Stafford site at Junction 14 of the M6 is operated by Wincanton supply chain logistics company on behalf of Screwfix.

The men will be employed by Wincanton, but work for Screwfix.

Wincanton representatives first met with a large number of the work force at a recruitment fair, put on by Goodyear, last November. The job fair was attended by around 300 workers.

Wayne Devaney, who worked at the plant for 28 years before being made redundant in January, is looking for work.

He said: "The problem I have had is I have been struggling to find a good job in Wolverhampton itself.

"I have applied for 140 positions and now I am having to look well beyond the city.

"The Jobcentre at Molineux House have helped me no end and have given me hints and tips on my CV and how to present myself and how to come across in interview.

"They have been a great encouragement."

Following the announcement that the plant was to close, the city council began working with Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and Job Centre Plus.

The plan was to offer recruitment and retraining support, as well as careers guidance, interview skills preparation and pension planning advice.

There was some controversy after Goodyear signed a sponsorship deal with Bayern Munich FC.

Bayern Munich stars Philipp Lahm and Franck Ribéry were pictured holding shirts printed with the Goodyear name following the announcement of the deal.

The first staff left the firm on New Year's Eve.